White-haired caterpillar (likely tussock moth caterpillar)

Vegetation in gardens, meadows, forest edges, and other areas with host plants.

Chews leaves from a wide range of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants; larvae are foliage feeders.

Larvae are often solitary and conspicuously hairy, with distinctive tufts or plumes. They pupate in loose silk cocoons and adults generally emerge as moths; species may produce multiple generations annually.

Do not handle it: some tussock-moth caterpillars have irritating or urticating hairs that can cause rash, eye irritation, or respiratory symptoms. They contribute to food webs, though abundant populations can defoliate plants.